Claims are being made in The Press about the future of the ftr number 4 bus service. It appears that First have given 3 months notice to those employed as conductors (hosts) on the vehicle prompting speculation that double deckers will be run on the route in future.

First are quoted as saying that any replacements will be “modern” buses but they don’t appear to be the new low emission models that the Liberal Democrat led Council was trialling with First a year or so ago.

First have not carried out any consultation with their customers about their preferences for the future of the number 4 service, which is the best used public transport link in the City.

Although financial savings might be made by switching to one person operation, it will be at a cost in terms of journey times – which will be longer – and inconvenience for both the disabled and those with pushchairs.

We’d like to think that this is not just another half baked idea being promoted by inexperienced Labour Councillors. They impulsively chopped down 500 lampposts recently without making any provision for their replacement and now plan to close both the Council Acomb Office and the Guildhall again without making adequate alternative arrangements.

Any competent reporter would have asked First how many “modern” double deckers they plan to use on the number 4 route (there are currently 12 ftrs in use) and what effect the change would have on frequencies and reliability?

The issue isn’t about the ftr, which was due for a refit anyway and might have been replaced in York by a newer vehicle with better economy and lower emissions.

The issue is about the respect that the Council and the bus company should show for their passengers and staff. A little consultation before headlines appeared in the Press might have reassured passengers that their views and needs were important.

Sadly the Council have made no statement and the suspicion is that they have no idea what sort of service – if any – will be provided on the number 4 route in future. It’s very bad time for public transport users in York

Council officials have told us that they are now in a position to progress the hard surfacing of the verge near the shops on Gale Lane.

Known locally as the “Somme”, the verge has been completely destroyed by poorly parked vehicles. The damage could have been prevented had bollards been provided.

We understand that an application has been made to extend the parking layby although precisely when work will start is still unclear.